Skip global navigation
St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Undergraduate Bulletin Table of Contents

Admission Procedures

Freshman Students

SCSU welcomes on-line as well as traditional paper applications for admissions to undergraduate programs. New, first year students or transfer students may enroll at the beginning of any regular term. Applications are accepted and acted upon on a rolling basis.

Admission Requirements for Freshmen

St. Cloud State University strives to provide an academic and campus environment that prepares our students to succeed and thrive in a global, multicultural world. As part of our overall mission, we are committed to enrolling an academically qualified, diverse student body. For that reason, each application is reviewed and evaluated on its own merits.

Applicants who are ranked in the upper one-half (top 50%) of their high school graduating class are assured of admission as long as space remains available. Other students will be individually reviewed. The admissions committee will look closely at students' high school performance, their ACT or SAT scores, plus school and community activities. Students will be considered for traditional admission, conditional admission through the Division of General Studies or the Community College Connection Program. Some students may be asked to submit additional information, including placement test results. Personal statements and letters of recommendation are not required, but may be helpful.

Students who are home schooled, graduating from high schools that do not rank students or have earned a GED will also have their records reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

SCSU requires all traditional-aged first year students to submit an ACT college assessment and a final high school transcript. The ACT assessment must be sent directly from ACT prior to entering, except for those who have been out of school three or more years. Please arrange to have ACT send this information to SCSU once you have taken the exam.

Students graduating from high school within the last three years must have an ACT or SAT score and assessment submitted to St. Cloud State University. Please arrange to have ACT or SAT send this information to SCSU directly.

High school students participating in the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program are considered freshmen with credit, and should apply using the freshmen application.

Admission Procedures for Freshmen

To be considered for admission into the University, freshman students should complete the following steps.

  1. Complete an admission application.
    Applications are available from:
    Office of Admissions, AS 115
    St. Cloud State University
    720 4th Avenue South
    St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
    877-308-SCSU or 320-308-2244
    You may also apply at our Web site: www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u
  2. Return the completed application along with a $20 (non-refundable) application fee to the Office of Records and Registration.
    Office of Records and Registration, AS 118
    St. Cloud State University
    720 4th Avenue South
    St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
    Or you may give the completed application and fee to your high school guidance office for submission with your transcript.
  3. Contact your high school and ask them to send an official transcript directly to SCSU's Office of Records and Registration (see address above). PSEO students: Contact your high school and the credit granting institution to have an official transcript sent directly to the Office of Records and Registration. Faxed transcripts are not considered official and will not be accepted.
  4. Arrange to have your ACT (or SAT) score and assessment sent directly to the SCSU Office of Records and Registration directly from ACT (see address above).
  5. Following your high school graduation, contact your high school and ask them to send a final transcript (showing the graduation date) to the Office of Records and Registration (see address above). Failure to provide a final transcript indicating high school graduation will prevent registration for a subsequent term.

Admission Deadlines

Fall  
September 15 Applications open for review
December 15 Early Admission Incentive
February 15 Scholarship & Honors Program Application Deadline
May 1 In order to be assured of consideration for admission to SCSU for fall semester, complete applications must be submitted by May 1. Those applying after May 1 may be placed on a waiting list and considered for admission if space is available. SCSU endeavors to provide quality service to all students so we strongly encourage application prior to this date.
Spring  
Continuous Applications open for review
October 15 Preferred admissions deadline
November 15 Applications may be accepted following this date or late applicants may be placed on a waiting list. Services may be affected by the short timeline created by applying after November 15. Services affected may include campus housing availability, course availability and financial aid processing time. SCSU endeavors to provide quality service to all students so we strongly encourage application prior to this date.

Non-traditional Students

Undergraduate students who have never attended a college-level institution and who are over the age of 21 may be admitted to SCSU by submitting an admission application, $20 application fee and providing proof of graduation from high school. Proof of graduation may be a copy of one of the following: high school diploma, final official transcript, or GED certificate.